The Ministry of Agriculture in Egypt is working to boost cotton cultivation and set a deadline for planting cotton. It is conducting laboratory tests to determine seed quality. In addition, the ministry will identify certain cotton varieties for cultivation across various governorates. According to the ministry’s Central Administration for Seed Production (CASP), Abdul Kareem al-Masry, they are serious about efforts to support the cultivation of cotton and to bring this sector back to life. He also added that a unified planting season should improve the situation.

Cultivated area is expected to reach 300,000 acres this year with crop yields expected to touch two million kantars, at a price of 1,250 to 1,400 Egyptian pounds ($164 to $184) each, depending on quality. In the year 2000, Egypt cultivated 518,000 acres of cotton, but the number fell to 325,000 by 2010 and 217,000 by 2014, he said.

The decline in cotton production was due to markets flooded with cheaper imported version, which has been able to compete with local production. Cotton cultivation is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry of Education also has to make efforts towards capacity building with schools offering training to students and encouraging them to take an interest in the cotton industry.